About Obesity

The National Center for Health Statistics estimates that 56% of adult Americans and approximately 1.6 billion adults worldwide1 are either clinically overweight or obese. Rates of obesity were relatively unchanged until the early 1980’s when prevalence exploded, with the rate of obesity more than doubling in the following 2 decades2. Obesity has become an epidemic and could be considered the largest health crisis in the U.S.

Body Mass Index (BMI) is the most common measurement for evaluating overweight or obesity. BMI is the relationship of an individual’s weight relative to their height (click here for online BMI calculator).

  • BMI 18.5-24.9 is considered normal
  • BMI 25-29.9 is considered overweight
  • BMI greater than 30 is considered obese3

Weight gain and obesity are caused by eating more calories than the body needs. Although the causes of obesity are not fully understood, it can be influenced by eating high fat foods, reduced physical activity, portion size, genetic susceptibility and/or endocrine influences. Weight gain and obesity increase risk for a variety of medical problems including:

  • Arthritis
  • Metabolic syndrome
  • Cardiovascular disease
  • Stroke
  • Congestive Heart Failure
  • Sleep apnea
  • Hypertension
  • Diabetes
  • Fertility issues
  • Stress urinary incontinence
  • Psychological disorders
  • Pregnancy complications4,5,6

For most people, obesity is a treatable condition, and weight loss can provide many health benefits. Studies have shown that losing 5-15% of your excess weight can significantly reduce obesity-related health issues, including lowering blood pressure7, reducing heart disease and stroke risks, improving triglycerides and cholesterol, decreasing inflammation and improving diabetes8,9.

Despite these advantages, most people find it difficult to lose weight and keep the weight off. ReShape Medical’s intragastric balloon is an aid to diet and behavioral modification, intended to reduce food consumption and result in temporary weight loss. ReShape your future and appearance by losing weight and gain a new outlook on life!

 

1.World Health Organization (WHO); Fact sheet No311; September 2006 http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs311/en/index.html

2. JP Morgan; The Obesity Guidebook; Oct 2005
3. Department of Health and Human Services; National Institutes of Health; National Heart Lung and Blood Institute Obesity Education Initiative  http://www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi/

4. WebMD; http://www.webmd.com/cholesterol-management/obesity-health-risks

5. Health Systems; Bariatric Patient Education http://www.benefis.org/pages/default.asp?NavID=21&PageCat=weight

6. Healthlink Medical College of Wisconsin; http://healthlink.mcw.edu/article/984434798.html

7. Stevens VJ, et al. (2001). Long-term weight loss and changes in blood pressure: Results of the trials of hypertension prevention, phase II. Annals of Internal Medicine 134(1): 1–11.

8. US Department of Health and Human Services; Office of the Surgeon General; The Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Prevent and Decrease Overweight and Obesity;  http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/topics/obesity/calltoaction/1_6.htm

9. American Gastroenterological Association (2002). AGA technical review on obesity. Gastroenterology, 123(3): 882–932. [Erratum in Gastroenterology, 123(5): 1752.